Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about Toots DTF Transfers. Based in Melbourne, shipping express across Australia.

About Toots DTF

We're Toots Australia Pty Ltd — a Melbourne-based DTF transfer printing business. We serve print shops, Etsy sellers, clothing stores, hobbyist brands, and merchandise companies across Australia. Every order is produced in our Burnside, VIC studio and shipped Australia Post Express.

We're based at 9 Lyre Cres, Burnside VIC 3023 in west Melbourne. Our production studio is not open to the public and does not accept walk-ins. Order pickups are available strictly by appointment only — please contact us once your order is dispatched to arrange a pickup time.

What is DTF printing

DTF (Direct to Film) is an advanced heat transfer printing method. Your design is printed onto a special film using vibrant inks and a hot melt adhesive powder, then heat pressed onto your garment. The result is a soft, flexible, full-colour print that lasts 100+ washes without cracking, fading, or peeling.

DTF wins on versatility. Unlike screen printing, you can print unlimited colours and gradients with no minimum order or setup fees. Unlike DTG, DTF works on any fabric with no pre-treatment needed. Unlike vinyl, there's no weeding required and the feel is much softer. DTF is the most flexible, cost-effective method for short to medium print runs.

Artwork & files

We accept PNG files with a transparent background at 300 DPI or higher. PDF and AI files are also accepted. Make sure your artwork is not mirrored — upload it exactly as you want it to appear on the garment.

A minimum of 300 DPI is required. Note: increasing the DPI setting in Photoshop or Canva without native high-quality artwork won't improve your print. Low-resolution artwork results in blurry or pixelated prints and the white underbase may peek outside the edges of your design.

Yes: (1) avoid semi-transparent or translucent pixels — DTF can't print transparency and it causes uneven glue marks; (2) avoid extremely thin lines or text under 0.5mm, as they may not adhere properly; (3) avoid metallic or fluorescent/neon colours — our water-based DTF inks can't reproduce these effects.

Absolutely — this is one of DTF's biggest strengths. Photos, full-colour illustrations, gradients, and complex artwork all print beautifully. Just make sure your image is 300 DPI minimum with a transparent (not white) background.

Every single order at Toots DTF goes through a manual file check before printing. If we notice a clear issue — like a missing transparent background or obvious resolution problem — we'll contact you before proceeding. For artwork resizing or recreation assistance, reach out to us before placing your order.

No. You are responsible for ensuring you have the rights to use any artwork you submit. We are unable to print copyrighted or trademarked material. By placing an order, you confirm that your artwork is either original or properly licensed for reproduction.

Gang sheets & ordering

A gang sheet is a single print-ready file that packs multiple designs together onto one sheet. It's the most cost-effective way to order — you pay for the sheet size, not per individual design. You can mix and match different artwork, sizes, and designs on the same sheet. Perfect for print shops, Etsy sellers, and anyone printing multiple designs in one run.

Upload a pre-made gang sheet directly through our website, or use our gang sheet creation tool to arrange your designs. After upload, complete checkout and our team will manually review your file before printing begins. You'll receive a tracking number by email once your order is dispatched.

No minimum — you can order as little as one transfer. Pricing scales with sheet size and quantity, so larger orders offer better value per print. If you're planning a large bulk run, contact us to discuss the best approach for your job.

Contact us as quickly as possible if you need to make changes. If your order hasn't entered production yet, we'll do our best to accommodate. Once printing has begun, orders cannot be cancelled or modified as every job is custom produced to order.

Production & shipping

Standard production is 24–48 business hours from when your order is placed and artwork is approved. Orders are processed Monday to Friday only, excluding weekends and Victorian public holidays. You'll receive an email notification once your order is dispatched.

Yes — we offer a 24-hour rush option. Contact us before ordering to confirm availability and ensure we can accommodate your deadline. Rush orders are subject to production capacity on the day.

We ship all orders via Australia Post Express at a flat rate of $15 Australia-wide. After dispatch, delivery typically takes 1–3 business days depending on your location. You'll receive a tracking number by email as soon as your order leaves our studio.

Currently we ship within Australia only. We're focused on delivering fast, reliable service to Australian customers right now.

Once your order is dispatched, you'll receive a tracking number by email to follow your parcel directly on the Australia Post website or app. If you haven't received a tracking email within your expected production window, check your spam folder or contact us.

Heat press application

For most fabrics: press at 165°C for 10–12 seconds with medium-firm pressure. Allow the transfer to cool for 5–10 seconds, then peel the film slowly at a low angle. Our transfers use instant peel (hot peel) technology. For a softer finish, cover with a Teflon sheet and press again for 5 seconds after peeling.

We strongly recommend using a proper heat press. DTF transfers require consistent, even heat and firm pressure — a household iron doesn't deliver either reliably. We can only stand behind our print quality when a proper heat press is used.

Instant peel (hot peel) means you remove the carrier film immediately after pressing while the transfer is still warm — no waiting 30+ seconds like cold peel film. This saves significant time in production. Peel slowly at a low angle for the cleanest result.

In most cases the issue is insufficient pressure, not temperature. Try increasing the pressure on your heat press and ensure the platen is making full, even contact with the garment. If the surface is uneven due to seams or buttons, use a heat press pillow. Contact us if you're still having trouble and we'll help troubleshoot.

Materials & aftercare

Our transfers work on cotton, polyester, poly-cotton blends, nylon, spandex, denim, canvas, leather, and leatherette. They are not suitable for waterproof or wind-resistant garments with chemical coatings. When in doubt, test on a sample piece before full production.

Wait at least 24 hours before the first wash. Machine wash inside out on a cool setting (30–40°C) with mild detergent. Avoid bleach and fabric softener. Line dry — do not tumble dry or iron directly over the print. With proper care, our transfers last 100+ washes.

Pricing & refunds

Yes — our pricing rewards larger orders. The more you print per sheet, the better your cost per print. If you're a print shop or regular buyer looking to place ongoing volume orders, contact us to discuss a pricing arrangement that works for your business.

Because all products are custom printed to order, we do not offer refunds, returns, or exchanges for change of mind or customer errors (including incorrect artwork, sizing, colour expectations, or heat press errors). If your order has a genuine manufacturing defect, contact us within 48 hours of receiving your order with clear photos, and we'll arrange a reprint or store credit.